The poverty figures released this weekcame after the U.S. Census Bureau adjusted the way in which it calculates poverty using the new Supplemental Poverty Measure. Instead of just tripling a family’s minimum annual food budget, as previously, this new measure looks at how much families spend on food, shelter, clothing and utilities. You know, life’s basic necessities.

Most groups saw their poverty rates increase using the new calculations, including married couples, whites, Asians, immigrants, homeowners with mortgages, those with private health insurance and the elderly. Poverty rates among those over 65 rose to 15.9% from the previously reported 9%.Poverty rates did, however, drop for Americans under the age of 18, African Americans, renters and people living in rural areas.

It’s Jon Stewart’s job to make light of serious issues, but I’d like to take the rest of the so-called serious media to task for burying this story.

I get that poverty is a depressing topic and a change to how it’s measured is a complicated story to tell. But I’ve never had a viewer tell me they want LESS depth or more ‘infotainment.’

More than ever Americans want news organizations to focus on the hard stuff…instead of the salacious (Victoria Secret‘s runway show), the sensational (Sharon Bialek’s press conference), the sophomoric (Rick Perry’s ‘oops’ gaffe) and the ridiculous (anything about the Kardashians) developments that pass as “news” in our society.

In his brilliant show “The Agony & The Ecstasy of Steve Jobs,” Mike Daisey talks about how working conditions remain brutal at Apple’s Foxconn plant, but we don’t hear about them anymore because of Chinese censorship. If the ‘media echo chamber’ pings for news and doesn’t hear a response, it moves on to the next story, he observers.

In these difficult times, and especially on Veterans Day, it’s important for all of us to be aware of the messages we’re sending to the media in the stories we watch, share, favorite and Tweet about.

Those among us — journalists and civilians alike — who ignore the hard realities of American life and get lost in what should be the minor distractions. You’ve been taken to task.

Again just a short word~to thank all you veterans who have served our country that we might be and keep out free GOD based society and enterprise.